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Headlight misfit. My 87' Headlight Woes

  • Thread starter Thread starter TenorPlayinGuy
  • Start date Start date Jul 1, 2009

TenorPlayinGuy

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2001
1,208
0
36
Canyon Country, Ca
Jul 1, 2009
#1
  • Jul 1, 2009
  • #1
Alright. I have redone the pigtail and searched Every inch of that wire out to the headlights/radio/instrument cluster and found no issue physically. Here is my issue.

-Parking Lamps/Instrument Lights do NOT come on with the 1st click of the switch.
-Parking Lamps/Instrument Lights do NOT come on with the 2nd click of the switch.

-Parking Lamps/Instrument Lights DO come on somewhere in between the 1st/2nd click of the switch, and only a VERY specific and small spot!

I've replaced the pigtail, rechecked my splices and the resistance is more than fine.

-I also have installed a UPR Reverse Glow Silver Gauge face kit.

I have two options at this point, since it's a bugger to drive at night while trying to get the lights to all come on.

1. Find the issue and fix it.
2. Install New Relay harnesses for everything (Headlights, Fogs, Instrument Illumination)

2) would be a nice thing for future plans on my car anyway, but what do you all think could be the solution to #1.

Thanks.
 

TenorPlayinGuy

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2001
1,208
0
36
Canyon Country, Ca
Jul 1, 2009
#2
  • Jul 1, 2009
  • #2
Oh yes, and it's not the switch, I've got two spares in my hatch.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jul 1, 2009
#3
  • Jul 1, 2009
  • #3
Are you sure all the switches are good? I would bench test one (continuity test in the park positions). When contacts start to go out, you get the symptoms you describe.
 

ID89GT

10 Year Member
May 26, 2008
1,659
18
49
Spokane Valley, WA
Jul 1, 2009
#4
  • Jul 1, 2009
  • #4
HISSIN50 said:
Are you sure all the switches are good? I would bench test one (continuity test in the park positions). When contacts start to go out, you get the symptoms you describe.
Click to expand...

Im with him, I would have the switch tested
 

TenorPlayinGuy

Founding Member
Aug 3, 2001
1,208
0
36
Canyon Country, Ca
Jul 1, 2009
#5
  • Jul 1, 2009
  • #5
That was the last thing I did with all three switches. All three tested good. Even with a 12v relay used between them. It has to be wiring. Probably a ground that isn't playing nice
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jul 2, 2009
#6
  • Jul 2, 2009
  • #6
The wiring should be sound since all the affected lights do work, correct? The way I read you is that the lights all work but that you have to position the headlight switch just right in order for them to function properly. Is that right? If so, you know the wiring is sound and that the switch is being finicky. I think I must have misread you. If so, my bad.

The one issue with continuity testing is that a weak component can test ok without a load, but when a load is introduced the circuit takes a dump.
 
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